Suppressors STI Spartan

[jasonZ]

Looking pretty hard at one for an entry to mid level 1911. I call em a mid level, as I feel that RIA, LLama, and posssilby even Springfield GI are entry level. You know from $4-500 or so. Spartan falls into mid level for me as say $6-900 guns and then there's the upper level $1-1500 guns. Above that I call em customs, as they are usually built to order.

Anyways, I was wondering any of you guys have one? Pros, Cons, FYI's, etc. I want to hear what the common thoughts or issues are before I pick one up. So dump what you know, read, or otherwise on me. I'd prefer some type of factuality, but there's always those that just don't particulary like one brand or the other so, I'll take those war stories too.
Thanks Jason

 

[SledDog]

Re: STI Spartan

Everything I've read about the Spartan has been pretty much positive. I don't think you'd be in any bad way with one. Another option in the same price range would be the new Remington 1911. Amer Rifleman just did a review of one and said it was really good.

 

[toygunner]

Re: STI Spartan

I would not get the Spartan. Its made overseas and STI puts their name on it. Look at the new Springfield range officer. Had one in the shop for different safety. They are nice tight fit guns with all the common bells and whistles.

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: STI Spartan

With the Spartan comes STI's customer service. I would not hesitate to purchase one.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: STI Spartan

So 2 good and 1 bad. Well we'll see I guess

 

[cheshier2]

Re: STI Spartan

I looked at everyone they make at the Shotshow.. Very nice guns but I personally had never heard of them till seeing them at Shot. With that being said they had a very nice selection of there guns. Sig has a couple nice 1911's coming out for 2011, Like the Scorpion, it's done in FDE Cerakote and has night sights ECT. My price will be $925 shipped...(MID-LEVEL) Its close to there Sig CQT I had a hard time telling Scorpion apart from the CQT other than color. I think this is the 1911 that the US Marines will be getting and is not going to be sold to the public..... I think the STI's are great guns, but I am not A 1911 shooter..The picture below is the SIG 1911 Scorpion new for 2011. I have 3 coming sometime in the next couple months. They have not even shipped these out yet. There is nothing about this on there web site thats how new it is....

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: STI Spartan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: toygunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would not get the Spartan. Its made overseas and STI puts their name on it. Look at the new Springfield range officer. Had one in the shop for different safety. They are nice tight fit guns with all the common bells and whistles. </div></div>

The Range Officer is made "over seas" as well from what I've read. Says made in Brazil on it. So that's kind of a moot point.

 

[tomme boy]

Re: STI Spartan

After the deal I had with the Trojan I had I would never own a STI again. I wish I still had the voicemail they left me calling me a few names. It was supposed to be left for my dealer but they dialed my # by mistake and then tried to deny it.

Reason to send it back was after 5 shots the gun locked up solid. Got it apart and the link pin feel out.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: STI Spartan

Ive had over 10000 rounds through my Trojan in uspsa competition. Id prefer a STI to a les Baer or Wilson.

I haven't played with the Spartan but the trojan and lawman are great

 

[D.A.T]

Re: STI Spartan

STI is good stuff.

 

[showlow50]

Re: STI Spartan

The artical I read on sti spartan was the parts are made in the usa but put together in the philippines. Mine shoots great but it does not like to feed 200gr wad cutters. I plan on using it in my single stack matches. I am very happy with STI guns.

 

[nw911guy]

Re: STI Spartan

I spent 200 rds with a 9mm Spartan last week. I have 0 complaint. It only had one ammo it didn't like and it was some Black Hills load.
Figure on a mallet and bushing wrench to get the bushing out. My friend test fired it for accuracy at 50' and a couple of the groups were sub 1".

There will be a write up on the 9mm coming up probably in Dillon's Blue Press (at least I think that's who my friend sent the article in to)

The frame, barrel, and slide are made overseas and fitted overseas. And fit is quite tight. Internals are STI to my knowledge and work well. Trigger was about 4.25 lbs IIRC.

Personally, I've seen Springfield's who's barrels didn't lock up nearly as securely as the Spartan.

I nearly bought the one that I shot, if that says anything. And will probably kick myself for not.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: STI Spartan

So some good and some bad, that's par for the course I reckon with any firearm. I guess I'll have to make a decision and see what happens. I really like the look and the reputation that I have heard, plus the price range will fit my budget. I'm torn though, between this and saving up for say a Kimber or higher tier of STI or something of that nature.

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: STI Spartan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TacticalJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So some good and some bad, that's par for the course I reckon with any firearm. I guess I'll have to make a decision and see what happens. I really like the look and the reputation that I have heard, plus the price range will fit my budget. I'm torn though, between this and saving up for say a Kimber or higher tier of STI or something of that nature. </div></div>

I wanted a 1911 that I could shoot IPSC stuff with when I ordered mine. When you think of competition, STI is really at the top of that list. I also wanted a 9mm due to the cost of ammo. Now, I know that I'll never be competitive shooting minor power factor, but I don't care. Getting out and shooting is more important to me than winning against dudes who put hair nets over their guns whilst holstered (go watch an IPSC match if you don't know what I'm talking about).

Any who, I purchased my Trojan through Brazo's and had them do their "high performance" package on it. I think it was $150 or $200 and worth every penny as far as I'm concerned. Ive shot around 1000 rounds with zero malfunctions of any sort. As you can see, other guys have many more rounds with the same results.

I think it might be a good idea to save up and get the Trojan. I'm betting that you'd be happy that you did. Then again, just order the Spartan from Brazo's and have them give it the high performance package.

 

[smokshwn]

Re: STI Spartan

You will have a very hard time finding more value for your dollar than going with STI. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to purchase a spartan.

Not only the Spartan but any of their other guns as well.

This is the first time I have heard of bad STI customer service....As a very active USPSA and 3 Gun shooter I would say I have a very high level of exposure to STI products and users and IME they have excellent customer service.

 

[Quickdraw40]

Re: STI Spartan

I had a 40 Trojan I liked it a lot. I wish I hadn't sold it.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: STI Spartan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sled Dog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Everything I've read about the Spartan has been pretty much positive. I don't think you'd be in any bad way with one. Another option in the same price range would be the new Remington 1911. Amer Rifleman just did a review of one and said it was really good. </div></div>

STI is good stuff.. they make solid guns and lots of the Open guys run STIs. You may want to look at stepping up to the Trojan for a few bills more. It's a 100% made in USA gun I believe. The Spartan is the little foreign stepbrother but it still gets good reviews.

RE: The Remington...Don't they say that about every gun? They pay them money to run their shows.. I don't belive anything I see on any of those shows. Hell, Shooting USA just about shoves Smith & Wesson down your throat.. watching that show you'd never know there was any other brand.

 

[Downzero]

Re: STI Spartan

The Trojan is not "stepping up" to anything as far as I'm concerned. The front strap has their "STIpling" and it still has a cast frame--just like the Spartan. I believe the Trojan has a ramped barrel, which IS an advantage in .40 or 9mm calibers.

I have a Spartan 9mm, and it's awesome. Besides sending it off to get the front strap checkered, it really needs nothing besides a magwell and the Dawson front sight option to be ready to rock and roll.

 

[WRM]

Re: STI Spartan

When I compared the Spartan and Trojan side by side, the Trojan was a big step up IMO. And it wasn't just the "Made in Phillipines" stamp on the Spartan, fit and finish on the Trojan was clearly superior.

Evidently YMMV.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[nw911guy]

Re: STI Spartan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Trojan is not "stepping up" to anything as far as I'm concerned. The front strap has their "STIpling" and it still has a cast frame--just like the Spartan. </div></div>

And in my IMHO STIpling, chainlink, and all the rest of the non-checkering and non-real-stippling are all just freakin terrible. Stipple, checker, or leave it bare, but almost all of these other front strap treatments are nearly worthless for anything but emptying customer wallets.

 

[Dave in Idaho]

Re: STI Spartan

I think the Spartan is a tremndous value. I paid less than $600 for mine and I have been very impressed. I bought it to retire my Colt GM Series 70.
I use the Spartan for USPSA and daily carry. It is well built and very accurate.
I added skate board tape to the front strap and a Fusion Mag funnel. I also changed the red fiber optic to green.
I am a Springfield fan but the Range Officer model is still selling around here for about $750.
Buy a Spartan with confidence. STI is a quality company. Made in the Phillipines...who cares this gun runs!

 

[dlc356]

Re: STI Spartan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nw1911guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And in my IMHO STIpling, chainlink, and all the rest of the non-checkering and non-real-stippling are all just freakin terrible. Stipple, checker, or leave it bare, but almost all of these other front strap treatments are nearly worthless for anything but emptying customer wallets.</div></div>

I tend to agree but I thought the pattern on the Trojan was comfortable. The only 1911 I have that is checkered in a SA TRP and it's almost too sharp.


As far as the OP, I wouldn't hesitate to own another STI. The Spartan is a great value and the slide/frame fit of the one's I've handled have been top notch. Check out Dawson Precision, they normally have a fair price and also offer enhanced packages for STI pistols.

 

[McWood]

Re: STI Spartan

i love my spartan to death, the gun just shoots. slide to frame fit is tighter on the spartan then it is on my colt delta gold cup elite. i highly recommend them based on my personal experience.

edit: when i bought mine a few years ago, only the frame, slide and barrel were made in the phillipines. then the overseas parts were shipped to texas and hand fit and assembeled with other STI parts. dont know if thats changed.

 

[TexasShadow]

Re: STI Spartan

I Love my STIs.I have had the Spartan for a few years and had no problems.Especially for its price point it is an Excellent value!

 

[jasonZ]

Re: STI Spartan

All good advice fellas. I appreciate it and am pretty sure that I'll be buying one this spring.

 

[benchmstr]

Re: STI Spartan

the only bitch i have about it is that it doesnt have a rail, but thats a personal thing and in no way a problem for others....abut i will not own a handgun without a rail....

spartan is a solid beast of a 1911 though...just wish it had a rail..

bench

 

[Downzero]

Re: STI Spartan

Just add the dawson rail if you need a rail. it's cheap

 

[nw911guy]

Re: STI Spartan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlc356</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nw1911guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And in my IMHO STIpling, chainlink, and all the rest of the non-checkering and non-real-stippling are all just freakin terrible. Stipple, checker, or leave it bare, but almost all of these other front strap treatments are nearly worthless for anything but emptying customer wallets.</div></div>

I tend to agree but I thought the pattern on the Trojan was comfortable. The only 1911 I have that is checkered in a SA TRP and it's almost too sharp.


As far as the OP, I wouldn't hesitate to own another STI. The Spartan is a great value and the slide/frame fit of the one's I've handled have been top notch. Check out Dawson Precision, they normally have a fair price and also offer enhanced packages for STI pistols. </div></div>

I'm not going to say STI's isn't comfortable, just don't see it as particularly effective is all. In fairness, I haven't handled Chuck Roger's golfball looking texture, so it may be more effective than most.

As for S.A. checkering, I once saw a TRP that hadn't had the checkering finished, i.e. deburred,. before shipping. Like having a whole bunch of 1/8" knife blades sticking up off each pyramid. It was weird. I do agree that the TRP is a bit on the sharp and course side. IIRC it's a sharp 20LPI.

Anyways, it's irrelevant for the Spartan. And I agree with D.Z., if you need a rail, just get the Dawson unit.

 

[dlc356]

Re: STI Spartan

^Good point. It's probably not as effective as a good checkering or stippling job. The knife blades comment reminds me of my SA but all the points look clean. I can't remember but want to say their specs say 30LPI. Of course, I could be wrong.

Not meaning to derail the thread. +1 for Dawson's rail.

 

[Downzero]

Re: STI Spartan

Springfield uses 20 LPI.

My Kimber has 30 LPI; I wish it were sharper.